Friday in the Octave of Easter
Lectionary: 265
Lectionary: 265
After the crippled
man had been cured,
while Peter and John were still speaking to the people,
the priests, the captain of the temple guard,
and the Sadducees confronted them,
disturbed that they were teaching the people
and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
They laid hands on Peter and John
and put them in custody until the next day,
since it was already evening.
But many of those who heard the word came to believe
and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes
were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest,
Caiaphas, John, Alexander,
and all who were of the high-priestly class.
They brought them into their presence and questioned them,
“By what power or by what name have you done this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,
“Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”
while Peter and John were still speaking to the people,
the priests, the captain of the temple guard,
and the Sadducees confronted them,
disturbed that they were teaching the people
and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
They laid hands on Peter and John
and put them in custody until the next day,
since it was already evening.
But many of those who heard the word came to believe
and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes
were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest,
Caiaphas, John, Alexander,
and all who were of the high-priestly class.
They brought them into their presence and questioned them,
“By what power or by what name have you done this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,
“Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 118:1-2 AND 4, 22-24, 25-27A
R. (22) The stone rejected by the builders has become
the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel JN 21:1-14
Jesus revealed
himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.
Meditation: "Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples"
Why didn't the apostles immediately recognize
the Lord when he greeted them at the Sea of Tiberias? John gives us a clue. He
states that Peter had decided to return to his home district of Galilee, very
likely so he could resume his fishing career. Peter was discouraged and didn't
know what to do after the tragedy of Jesus' death! He went back to his previous
career out of despair and uncertainty. The other apostles followed him back to
Galilee.
When was the last time Peter was commanded to
let down his net after a futile night of fishing? It was at the beginning of
Jesus' ministry in Galilee when the Lord dramatically approached Peter in his
fishing boat after a futile night of fishing and commanded him to lower his
nets (see Luke 5:4-11). After the miraculous catch, Jesus
told Peter that he would be 'catching people" for the kingdom of God. Now
Jesus repeats the same miracle. John, the beloved disciple, is the first to
recognize the Lord. Peter impulsively leaps from the boat and runs to the Lord.
Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks, disappointments, or trials? The
Lord is ever ready to renew us in faith and to give us fresh hope in his
promises.
Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection say the
disciples only saw a vision of Jesus. The Gospels, however, give us a vivid
picture of the reality of the resurrection. Jesus went out of his way to offer
his disciples various proofs of his resurrection - that he is real and true
flesh, not just a spirit or ghost. In his third appearance to the apostles,
after Jesus performed the miraculous catch of fish, he prepared a breakfast and
ate with them. Peter's prompt recognition of the Master - It is the
Lord! - stands in sharp contrast to his previous denial of his Master
during the night of Jesus' arrest. The Lord Jesus reveals himself to each
of us as we open our hearts to hear his word. Do you recognize the Lord's
presence in your life and do you receive his word with faith?
"Lord Jesus, you are the Resurrection and
the Life. Increase my faith in the power of your resurrection and in the truth
that you are truly alive! May I never doubt your life-giving word nor stray
from your presence."
 Fire of Mercy, Fire of Love |
|
Friday
in the Octave of Easter
|
|
John
21:1-14
Jesus
revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed
himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee´s sons, and two others of his
disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They
said to him, "We also will come with you." So they went out and got
into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn,
Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it
was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to
eat?" They answered him, "No." So he said to them, "Cast
the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So
they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord."
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he
was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the
boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging
the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal
fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the
fish you just caught." So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net
ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so
many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have
breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are
you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took
the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the
third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the
dead.
Introductory
Prayer: Lord, you
are the source of all life because you are life itself. Your resurrection
gives me the hope of being raised from the dead to rejoice with you forever
in heaven. I need to dwell more often on the good you have done for us and on
your promises to those who put their trust in you. Thank you, Jesus, for
taking up your life again and leading the way home to heaven. I love you, and
I want to follow after you with all my heart. I want to cooperate more fully
with you in bringing many others there with me.
Petition: Lord, grant me the grace to seek your
mercy and offer it to others.
1.
I Am Going Fishing: In
a meditation earlier this week we saw how the two apostles, Peter and John,
entered into the tomb. Scripture notes that John believed, yet it is silent
on the subject of Peter’s faith (cf. John 20:8). Peter had to resolve
something in his life before his faith would completely commit him to Our
Lord. Peter is mulling in his heart over his past infidelities. When men feel
uncomfortable in situations, they tend to seek out familiar, daily securities
that can restore their self-confidence and worth. For Peter, that security
was fishing, and so he goes, inviting along the other apostles who had also
abandoned Our Lord in his passion. Perhaps their own discomfort is why they
so readily joined Peter…. Do I have the interior wherewithal to turn back to
Our Lord when I have offended him? Do I have a spirit of reflection, humility
and courage?
2.
True Friends Bring Us Back to Our Lord: Perhaps John entered the boat with
different intentions than did Peter and the rest of the disciples. Perhaps
this fishing trip reminded him of the previous trip that brought Peter to
repent and declare, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord"
(cf. Luke 5:1-11). Acting on this inspiration, John may have entered the boat
to stay close to Peter until an opportunity of reconciliation would arise.
The opportunity came suddenly when John shouted out, "It is the
Lord." John did not abandon Peter. Neither are we to abandon each other.
We all have “baggage” in our lives. It’s comforting to have a friend who
brings us back to the Lord. We also need to know how to approach others with
humility and understanding to bring them back to the Lord. Am I friends to
others like John was a friend to Peter?
3.
From the Fire of Betrayal to the Fire of Mercy: As Peter arrived on shore he saw the
charcoal fire. How it must have rekindled his sorrow of the night before Our
Lord’s passion when, as he warmed himself by a fire, he denied Jesus by
saying, “I don’t even know the man” (Matthew 26:72-74). How he must have
wished he had said other words, like when he declared, "You are the
Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Peter’s history,
like ours, wasn’t always written with constant fidelity. But Our Lord invites
all to the rich banquet of his mercy: "Come, have breakfast." Our
Lord returns kindness for evil, leaving us with a real and eloquent
illustration of the Beatitudes (cf. Luke 6:27-38). The disciples didn’t need
to ask him, "Who are you?” Three years of seeing Jesus forgive sins and
cure the sick helped them to know Jesus as the Merciful One. Do I know him by
that name?
Conversation
with Christ: Lord,
may I always understand that your act of redemption doesn’t end just with the
forgiveness of my sins. It ends with my heart changed and willing to forgive
and even to serve those who have wronged me. Allow me to spread your charism
of love everywhere.
Resolution: I will do a significant but hidden act
of charity to someone whom I find difficult to be with, perhaps even someone
I consider to be my enemy.
|
SOLEMNITY OF EASTER FRIDAY, APRIL 25, JOHN
21:1-14
(Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 118)
(Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 118)
KEY VERSE: "It is the Lord!" (v 7).
READING: After the resurrection, Peter and six other disciples went fishing. In the half-light of the morning, the Risen Christ called to them from the shore, telling them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat. Although they had fished all night and caught nothing, their obedience brought forth a great draught of fish. John was the first to understand the meaning of this sign and cried "It is the Lord!" Peter was the first to act, swimming and dragging the heavily laden net to shore. Although the net held a great catch of fish it was not torn. The unbroken net is a symbol of the future mission of the Church to bring souls to Christ. St. Jerome claimed that the Greeks identified 153 species of fish in the sea. The miraculous catch included every kind of fish; therefore, the number symbolized the day when all of the nations would be gathered together in God's kingdom. When Jesus' disciples assembled on the shore, he shared a meal with them, distributing bread and fish just as he did in the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fish in the wilderness (Jn 6:1-13). The Risen Christ was not a vision or a spirit, nor was he a ghost. He was the Lord who conquered sin and death by his dying and rising.
REFLECTING: Do I allow the Lord to direct me despite doubts as to the outcome?
PRAYING: Risen Lord, guide all my words and deeds so that I will bring many souls to you.
ARBOR DAY
Last Friday of April
Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Arbor means "tree" in Latin. Arbor Day is a special day that has been set aside for planting and caring for trees. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872, National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. The National Arbor Day Foundation helps people plant and care for trees and encourage the celebration of Arbor Day to advance global environmental stewardship for the benefit of this and future generations. http://www.arborday.org/
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
MINUTE
MEDITATIONS
Freely Surrender
Jesus was equal to the Father but did not feel it was below his
dignity to obey. We cannot be free unless we are able to surrender our will
freely to the will of God. We must obey with full freedom in a spirit of unity
and submission and through wholehearted free service to Christ.
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone
Today’s readings are full of Easter joyThey proclaim that the resurrection is a victory over death, a victory to be shared by all who believe in Jesus. The exultant tone of Peter and John’s teaching and the signs of the kingdom displayed by those suffering from sickness, both mental and physical, give promise of a new and happier world. In the words of the prophetic psalm, ‘The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.’ The victory of the resurrection is moved to a cosmic level: the defeat of death, sin and evil. Yet the scene of the disciples looking towards the shore and not recognising Jesus strikes a different note. Sometimes we too can fail to recognise the presence of Jesus in our lives.
April
25
St. Mark
St. Mark
Most of what we know about Mark comes directly from the New
Testament. He is usually identified with the Mark of Acts 12:12. (When Peter
escaped from prison, he went to the home of Mark's mother.)
Paul and
Barnabas took him along on the first missionary journey, but for some reason
Mark returned alone to Jerusalem. It is evident, from Paul's refusal to let
Mark accompany him on the second journey despite Barnabas's insistence, that
Mark had displeased Paul. Because Paul later asks Mark to visit him in prison,
we may assume the trouble did not last long.
The
oldest and the shortest of the four Gospels, the Gospel of Mark emphasizes
Jesus' rejection by humanity while being God's triumphant envoy. Probably
written for Gentile converts in Rome—after the death of Peter and Paul sometime
between A.D. 60 and 70—Mark's Gospel is the gradual manifestation of a
"scandal": a crucified Messiah.
Evidently
a friend of Mark (Peter called him "my son"), Peter is only one of
the Gospel sources, others being the Church in Jerusalem (Jewish roots) and the
Church at Antioch (largely Gentile).
Like one
other Gospel writer, Luke, Mark was not one of the 12 apostles. We cannot be
certain whether he knew Jesus personally. Some scholars feel that the
evangelist is speaking of himself when describing the arrest of Jesus in
Gethsemane: "Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen
cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off
naked" (Mark 14:51-52).
Others
hold Mark to be the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Venice, famous for the
Piazza San Marco, claims Mark as its patron saint; the large basilica there is
believed to contain his remains.
A winged
lion is Mark's symbol. The lion derives from Mark's description of John the
Baptist as a "voice of one crying out in the desert" (Mark 1:3),
which artists compared to a roaring lion. The wings come from the application
of Ezekiel's vision of four winged creatures (Ezekiel, chapter one) to the
evangelists.
Comment:
Mark fulfilled in his life what every Christian is called to do: proclaim to all people the Good News that is the source of salvation. In particular, Mark's way was by writing. Others may proclaim the Good News by music, drama, poetry or by teaching children around a family table.
Mark fulfilled in his life what every Christian is called to do: proclaim to all people the Good News that is the source of salvation. In particular, Mark's way was by writing. Others may proclaim the Good News by music, drama, poetry or by teaching children around a family table.
Quote:
There is very little in Mark that is not in the other Gospels—only four passages. One is: “...This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come” (Mark 4:26-29).
There is very little in Mark that is not in the other Gospels—only four passages. One is: “...This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come” (Mark 4:26-29).
Patron Saint of:
Notaries
Notaries
LECTIO DIVINA:
JOHN 21,1-14
Lectio:
Friday, April 25, 2014
Easter Time
1) Opening prayer
Our God and Father,
through our risen Lord, your Son Jesus Christ,
you have given us a message of hope
and a person to live for.Free our faith from triviality and routine
and fill us with his Spirit of courage,
that we may learn to live
with the insecurities of the change of renewal
ever-demanded by the gospel
and by the needs of the times.
May our Christian living bear witness
to the name of him by whom we are saved,
Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
through our risen Lord, your Son Jesus Christ,
you have given us a message of hope
and a person to live for.Free our faith from triviality and routine
and fill us with his Spirit of courage,
that we may learn to live
with the insecurities of the change of renewal
ever-demanded by the gospel
and by the needs of the times.
May our Christian living bear witness
to the name of him by whom we are saved,
Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - John 21, 1-14
Later on, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples. It was
by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called
the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of
his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, 'I'm going fishing.' They
replied, 'We'll come with you.' They went out and got into the boat but caught
nothing that night. When it was already light, there stood Jesus on the shore,
though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out,
'Haven't you caught anything, friends?' And when they answered, 'No,' he said,
'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something.' So they threw the
net out and could not haul it in because of the quantity of fish.
The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' At these words, 'It is the Lord,' Simon Peter tied his outer garment round him (for he had nothing on) and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net with the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.' Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, 'Who are you?'. They knew quite well it was the Lord.
Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord.' At these words, 'It is the Lord,' Simon Peter tied his outer garment round him (for he had nothing on) and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net with the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.' Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.' None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, 'Who are you?'. They knew quite well it was the Lord.
Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
3) Reflection
• Chapter 21 of the Gospel of Saint John seems like an appendix
which was added later after the Gospel had already been written. The conclusion
of the previous chapter (Jn 20, 30-31) makes one perceive that it is an
addition. However, whether it is an addition or not, it is the Word of God
which presents us the beautiful message of the Resurrection on this fifth day
of Easter week.
• John 21, 1-3: The fisherman of men returns to be a fisherman of fish. Jesus has died and has risen. At the end of three years of life together with Jesus, the disciples returned toward Galilee. A group of them find themselves together before the lake. Peter goes back to the past and says: “I am going fishing!” The others answer: “We will come with you!” Thus, Thomas, Nathanael, John and James together with Peter go to the boat to go fishing. They go back to the life of the past as if nothing had happened. But something did happen. Something was taking place! The past did not return! “We have caught nothing!” They go back to the shore, tired. This had been a night filled with frustration.
• John 21, 4-5: The context of the new apparition of Jesus. Jesus was on the shore, but they did not recognize him. Jesus asks: “Little children, have you anything to eat?” They answered: “No!” In the negative response they realize that the night had been deceiving because they had caught nothing, no fish. They had been called to be fishermen of men (Mk 1, 17; Lk 5, 10), and they go back to be fishermen of fish. But something had changed in their life! The experience of three years with Jesus produces in them an irreversible change. It was no longer possible to return to the past as if nothing had happened, as if nothing had changed.
• John 21, 6-8: “Throw the net out to the right of the boat and you will find something” They did something which perhaps they had never done in their life. Five experienced fishermen obey a foreigner who orders them to do something which is in contrast to their experience. Jesus, that unknown person, who is on the shore, orders them to throw the net on the right side of the boat. They obey; they throw the net, and behold the unexpected result. The net was full of fish! How was this possible! How to explain this surprise so unexpected, unforeseen! Love makes one discover. The beloved disciple says: “It is the Lord”. This intuition clarifies everything. Peter jumped into the water to get close to Jesus very quickly. The other disciples follow him, pulling the boat, and dragging the net full of fish.
• John 21, 9-14: The kindness of Jesus. Coming ashore, they saw a charcoal fire which had been lit by Jesus, where he was roasting fish and bread. He asked them to take some of the fish they had caught and immediately Peter went to the boat and towed the net containing one hundred and fifty fish. A great number of fish and the net did not break. Jesus calls the multitude: “Come and eat!” He had the kindness to prepare something to eat after a deceiving night during which they had caught nothing. A very simple gesture which reveals something of God’s love for us. “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14, 9). None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, Who are you, because they knew he was the Lord. And recalling the Eucharist, John, the Evangelist contemplates: “Jesus stepping forward took the bread and gave it to them”. Thus, he suggests that the Eucharist is the privileged place for the encounter with the Risen Jesus.
• John 21, 1-3: The fisherman of men returns to be a fisherman of fish. Jesus has died and has risen. At the end of three years of life together with Jesus, the disciples returned toward Galilee. A group of them find themselves together before the lake. Peter goes back to the past and says: “I am going fishing!” The others answer: “We will come with you!” Thus, Thomas, Nathanael, John and James together with Peter go to the boat to go fishing. They go back to the life of the past as if nothing had happened. But something did happen. Something was taking place! The past did not return! “We have caught nothing!” They go back to the shore, tired. This had been a night filled with frustration.
• John 21, 4-5: The context of the new apparition of Jesus. Jesus was on the shore, but they did not recognize him. Jesus asks: “Little children, have you anything to eat?” They answered: “No!” In the negative response they realize that the night had been deceiving because they had caught nothing, no fish. They had been called to be fishermen of men (Mk 1, 17; Lk 5, 10), and they go back to be fishermen of fish. But something had changed in their life! The experience of three years with Jesus produces in them an irreversible change. It was no longer possible to return to the past as if nothing had happened, as if nothing had changed.
• John 21, 6-8: “Throw the net out to the right of the boat and you will find something” They did something which perhaps they had never done in their life. Five experienced fishermen obey a foreigner who orders them to do something which is in contrast to their experience. Jesus, that unknown person, who is on the shore, orders them to throw the net on the right side of the boat. They obey; they throw the net, and behold the unexpected result. The net was full of fish! How was this possible! How to explain this surprise so unexpected, unforeseen! Love makes one discover. The beloved disciple says: “It is the Lord”. This intuition clarifies everything. Peter jumped into the water to get close to Jesus very quickly. The other disciples follow him, pulling the boat, and dragging the net full of fish.
• John 21, 9-14: The kindness of Jesus. Coming ashore, they saw a charcoal fire which had been lit by Jesus, where he was roasting fish and bread. He asked them to take some of the fish they had caught and immediately Peter went to the boat and towed the net containing one hundred and fifty fish. A great number of fish and the net did not break. Jesus calls the multitude: “Come and eat!” He had the kindness to prepare something to eat after a deceiving night during which they had caught nothing. A very simple gesture which reveals something of God’s love for us. “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14, 9). None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, Who are you, because they knew he was the Lord. And recalling the Eucharist, John, the Evangelist contemplates: “Jesus stepping forward took the bread and gave it to them”. Thus, he suggests that the Eucharist is the privileged place for the encounter with the Risen Jesus.
4) Personal questions
• Has it ever happened to you that someone has told you to throw
the net to the right side of your life, to do something contrary to your
experience? Have you obeyed? Have you thrown in the net?
• The kindness of Jesus. How is your kindness in the small things of life?
• The kindness of Jesus. How is your kindness in the small things of life?
5) Concluding Prayer
Give thanks to Yahweh for he is good,
for his faithful love endures for ever.
Let those who fear Yahweh say,
'His faithful love endures for ever.' (Ps 118)
for his faithful love endures for ever.
Let those who fear Yahweh say,
'His faithful love endures for ever.' (Ps 118)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét